FAIRFIELD -- While the town's registrars of voters might have been slap happy after working long hours preparing for the Nov. 5 election, the Democratic registrar claims his Republican counterpart has turned the office into a hostile working environment.

"Roger has had a history of intimidation and harassment in the workplace," Democratic Registrar Matthew Waggner recently complained to police in pressing criminal charges against Republican Registrar Roger Autuori.

Autuori, a former police and courts reporter for the former Bridgeport Telegram, did not return calls for comment.

At the end of the day Friday, Waggner was putting the voting machine scanners into a bin when Autuori ran into the room enraged because he thought Waggner was doing it improperly, Waggner told police.

He grabbed Waggner about the neck and began yelling, "What are you doing?" as Waggner cried for help, police said. Autuori then hit Waggner in the right cheek with his open hand while shoving him, police said.

Autuori told police that Waggner had been purposely working in a manner that would slow everyone down. Autuori said he pushed and hit Waggner out of frustration, police said.

Police said that Autuori, a stone mason, told them he pushed Waggner's shoulders with his hands, but they may have crept upward toward Waggner's neck.

Autuori was charged with breach of peace, a misdemeanor, and released on a promise to appear in court on Oct. 28.

In the meantime, police said they warned the duo to try keeping the peace -- at least until after Election Day.

"I'm working with police and victims' services, and I'd rather not talk about the criminal issue," Waggner said Tuesday. "It's important for the public to know that the election is not going to be haywire because of what happened."